The long and winding road that many schools embarked on in their pursuit for the services of five-star safety Leon McQuay III from Seffner (Fla.) Armwood as come to an end and the lucky team that will get his signature is USC.

McQuay just told on national TV why.

"I'm going to be playing college football for the University of Southern California," McQuay announced on ESPN at the Under Armor All-American game.

Being in Los Angeles and near the music industry was a huge factor in McQuay's decision.

"Los Angeles has a big music scene,"McQuay said. "There are a lot of producers there and the music school they have at SC is great."

Most of the time prospects go to USC for the football program but this time the music department also had a hand in the process. Before decision was made the word was the music engineering department would be one of the main deciding factors for McQuay.

McQuay's dad said that the advice he gave his son was to do go academically and all the doors would be open to him.

The Trojans won this long and intense final recruiting battle over Oregon, Florida State, Michigan and Vanderbilt. He could have named his school. This is a huge get for USC.

"This is a huge get for so many reasons," USCFootball.com national recruiting analyst Gerard Martinez said. "The biggest is that McQuay is a great player coming in at a position of need for USC. The Trojans lose three safeties all with starting experience.

"Another reason is momentum. From the outside looking in, USC is reeling and losing commits by the minute. While those who follow the program know that's not true, a commitment from McQuay would change public perception among everyone, including other recruits."

As a senior, this 6-foot-2, 184-pound five-star safety racked up 54 tackles and five interceptions.